Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place. CCTV is often used for surveillance in areas that may need monitoring such as banks, casinos, airports, military installations, convenience stores, shopping malls, high streets, motorways, and homes.

A more advanced form of CCTV, utilizing Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), provides recording for possibly many years, with a variety of quality and performance options and extra features. CCTV systems may operate continuously or only as required to monitor a particular event.

Standalone DVR systems

A digital video recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR) is a device that records video in a digital format to a disk drive or other memory medium within a device. The term includes stand-alone set-top boxes, portable media players (PMP) and software for personal computers which enables video capture and playback to and from disk.

IP based CCTV Systems

IP video surveillance can be defined as the transmission of video utilizing open internet protocols and standards for the purpose of recording and monitoring.